George was born on March 30, 1941 in Detroit, Michigan to parents Eusebio “George” and Lucy (nee Naretti) Zanotti. George spent many years in Mt. Clemens, Michigan and attended St. Louis High School where he was the senior class President and Valedictorian. George graduated from St. John’s University in St. Paul, Minnesota with a degree in fine arts and later he earned a master’s degree in education from Eastern Michigan University. While at St. John’s, George’s art was selected to be featured at a one-man exhibit for the St. Paul/Minneapolis community. George thrived as a 7th and 8th grade teacher and cherished colleague at St. Joan for nearly 50 years before retiring. Teaching middle school students is frequently considered a daunting profession by teachers and parents alike, yet George’s colleagues, family, and friends remember that George enjoyed his students, embraced the challenges, and always taught with a good sense of humor.
George was a gifted painter and calligrapher, and a designer and maker of beautiful clothes. He was an avid gardener who operated a plant shoppe in Harper Woods with his dear cousins, Marilyn and Lloyd Keuning. Along with these passions, George was an early adopter of technology, hosting many family movie nights on his Beta machine. Until a couple of weeks ago, he was actively sending humorous posts and creating digital works of art to share on social media. George was well-traveled and took many vacations around the U.S., including annual trips to California to visit close friends. Over the years, he took trips with his family to Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, and Switzerland. George hosted many memorable family parties at his Clinton River and Eastpointe homes.
George was predeceased by his parents, his three beloved brothers, James T. (Mary Jane “Janie”), Joseph F. (Jean) and Richard L. “Doug” (Phyllis) Zanotti. He is survived by his adoring family of numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, and is also remembered by many treasured friends. George will be dearly missed by all.
The family requests that donations be made in George’s honor to the Michael J. Fox Foundation dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinsons disease.
A visitation for George will be held Friday, January 28, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM at A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236. A scripture service will occur Friday at 7:00 PM. George will lie instate on Saturday from 11:30 AM until the time of the Mass of the Resurrection at 12:00 PM at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 21620 Greater Mack Ave, St Clair Shores, MI 48080.
George's cremated remains will be interred at St. John's Alumni Cemetery in Collegeville, Minnesota.
The Funeral Mass will be live streamed at St Joan of Arc Church @ livestream.stjoan.church
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